SEC vs Ripple: Allegations of XRP Price Manipulation Surface

• Court documents have revealed a potential collaboration between Ripple and a market maker to influence XRP’s price.
• Some experts have claimed manipulation, and others have suggested it was part of stabilization efforts.
• These developments have added another layer to the ongoing legal battle between Ripple and the SEC.

Court documents surfacing in the ongoing SEC vs Ripple lawsuit have ignited a firestorm of debate within the cryptocurrency community. These documents raise questions about the potential manipulation of the XRP price by Ripple , adding a new layer of complexity to the already intricate legal battle.

Did Ripple Use Bots to Manipulate XRP?

The claims stem from revelations shared by crypto researcher Darkhorse, who unearthed documents detailing interactions between Ripple and market maker GSR Markets. These documents allegedly outline strategies employed by Ripple to influence XRP’s market value during 2015 and 2016.

Specifically, the documents mention “xrp 2t 6t bots” and suggest that GSR was instructed to buy and sell XRP to impact its price. Notably, the documents reportedly link these actions to bots operated by high-profile figures within Ripple, including CEO Brad Garlinghouse and co-founder Chris Larsen .

Further bolstering these claims, screenshots shared by Darkhorse depict a graph indicating a seemingly direct correlation between GSR’s net XRP sales and XRP/USD price movements. This graph, sourced from GSR’s records, reportedly shows strategic pauses in selling during price dips, followed by resumed sales upon receiving specific signals from Ripple.

Darkhorse elaborates on the alleged tactics, suggesting a pattern of “buying to create a price rally” and then “selling into the rally” to capitalize on FOMO among investors. However, respected XRP community member Wrathof Kahneman emphasizes that the documents might describe efforts to stabilize and boost, rather than suppress, the price.

Delays and Transparency Concerns Impact XRP

Ripple has yet to address these specific allegations publicly.  This situation raises concerns about transparency and fairness in the XRP market, potentially impacting investor trust. It adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing SEC lawsuit, which is already facing delays.

The SEC recently requested an extension for submitting briefs related to the remedies phase of the lawsuit, pushing back deadlines for both parties. This development further highlights the intricate and evolving nature of this legal battle with significant implications for the future of XRP.

On the Flipside

• The actions described could be interpreted as market-making activities to increase liquidity, a common practice in traditional finance.
• The interpretation of the documents and graphs by Darkhorse is one perspective, and others, like Wrathof Kahneman, offer alternative explanations.
• The authenticity and credibility of Darkhorse’s research and interpretation of the documents require further verification.

Why This Matters

If proven true, these accusations could erode investor confidence in XRP and the broader crypto market by raising concerns about manipulation and unfair advantage. The legal battle’s outcome could set a precedent for how regulators approach similar situations in the future.

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